Shloka 23
कुण्डले मे प्रयच्छस्व वर्म चैव शरीरजम् । गृहाण कर्ण शक्ति त्वमनेन समयेन च,“कर्ण! तुम मुझे अपने दोनों कुण्डल और सहज कवच दे दो और मेरी यह शक्ति ग्रहण कर लो। इसी शर्तके अनुसार हमलोगोंमें इन वस्तुओंका विनिमय (बदला) हो जाय
kuṇḍale me prayacchasva varma caiva śarīrajam | gṛhāṇa karṇa śakti tvam anena samayena ca ||
Vāsava said: “Give me your two earrings and the natural cuirass born with your body. And you, O Karna, accept this spear—so that, by this agreed condition, an exchange of these objects may be made between us.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between generosity and self-protection: a righteous gift can be demanded under a ‘condition’ that strategically weakens the giver. It invites reflection on dharma—whether virtue lies only in giving, or also in discerning the intent and consequences behind an exchange.
In the episode where Karna is approached (traditionally by Indra in disguise) for his innate armor and earrings, the request is framed as a formal exchange: Karna is asked to surrender his life-protecting boons and, in return, accept the divine spear (Śakti). This sets up a pivotal shift in the balance of power for the coming war.